Mitsubishi FTO cabin room.
Discussion
Hi everyone.
I've been toying with the idea of getting something a little bit fun to drive after owning the hot rod that is the 2005 Focus 1.6 and I've taken a bit of a fancy to a 2.0 manual FTO.
The only problem is that the car itself is a touch on the small side and I'm 6ft5.. are there any taller gents on here that have driven the FTO and can give me any advice as to whether I'd be able to fit in the thing or would I have to be cracked out of there with a crowbar to get out?
If the FTO would be a no-go what else would you guys and girls suggest? It wouldn't have to be Japanese but anything that's a good bit of fun for around the £2k mark and something I'd actually fit in.
The only other car I was tempted to take a look at was a later shape Honda Prelude which is probably a better car but it just doesn't quite do it for me for some reason. Or a non turbo GTO which could be expensive to maintain perhaps.
Thanks everyone and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
I've been toying with the idea of getting something a little bit fun to drive after owning the hot rod that is the 2005 Focus 1.6 and I've taken a bit of a fancy to a 2.0 manual FTO.
The only problem is that the car itself is a touch on the small side and I'm 6ft5.. are there any taller gents on here that have driven the FTO and can give me any advice as to whether I'd be able to fit in the thing or would I have to be cracked out of there with a crowbar to get out?
If the FTO would be a no-go what else would you guys and girls suggest? It wouldn't have to be Japanese but anything that's a good bit of fun for around the £2k mark and something I'd actually fit in.
The only other car I was tempted to take a look at was a later shape Honda Prelude which is probably a better car but it just doesn't quite do it for me for some reason. Or a non turbo GTO which could be expensive to maintain perhaps.
Thanks everyone and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
pti said:
Mk2 MR2
I did think about one of those are they pretty roomy then? How are they to work on if something does inevitably go pop?Thanks mate and sorry to bombard you with questions but the Focus I've had has been nothing but trouble and I don't want to jump into another potential nightmare.
Cheers mate and thanks for that advice.
designforlife said:
Your biggest hurdle with an FTO after fitting in it, will be finding a rust free one for £2k.
90s mitsubishis weren't known for their rust resistance, I have first hand experience of this!
That said, MIVEC is a great giggle, and they are a cool car, if not quite as fast as they look.
Yeah this is the thing and I've heard about checking for rust. 90s mitsubishis weren't known for their rust resistance, I have first hand experience of this!
That said, MIVEC is a great giggle, and they are a cool car, if not quite as fast as they look.
That's the thing that appealed to me with the FTO was that little 2.0l V6. I have been tempted with a Prelude but while they might be a better car that fart in a can noise they make just doesn't do it for me.
The FTO (manual not the auto FT-Slow) is quick enough for me at the moment to be fair. I was also tempted with the GTO non turbo as they're such a great looking thing compared to the other 90's Japanese cars but with the budget I've set myself I can see it being a non stop money pit at that price.
A Hyundai Coupe 2.7 V6 could be tempting but the brother has already had one of those so there's that one out of the window haha.
If you like the engine, there are a few mivec V6 swapped CJ colts kicking around, slightly lighter and with a roomier cabin, it's a very common engine swap.
Worth hunting around on FB to see if anyone is willing to sell theirs.
I had a Mitsu Mirage Asti Zr which was an absolute hoot - 1.6l Mivec, 175bhp naturally aspirated and weighed the same as an MX5. If they weren't unicorn rare, I would have another in a heartbeat. The 8.5k RPM redline was very addictive!
Worth hunting around on FB to see if anyone is willing to sell theirs.
I had a Mitsu Mirage Asti Zr which was an absolute hoot - 1.6l Mivec, 175bhp naturally aspirated and weighed the same as an MX5. If they weren't unicorn rare, I would have another in a heartbeat. The 8.5k RPM redline was very addictive!
dancza said:
pti said:
Mk2 MR2
I did think about one of those are they pretty roomy then? How are they to work on if something does inevitably go pop?Thanks mate and sorry to bombard you with questions but the Focus I've had has been nothing but trouble and I don't want to jump into another potential nightmare.
Cheers mate and thanks for that advice.
£2k would get you a really good NA, which obviously has less to go wrong than a Turbo (and in theory will have had less people f
king around with it mechanically). Driving position is one of the best I've experienced and with standard seats should accommodate you. Mine currently has Recaro Trendlines and they really reduce the space. Rust is the main thing to check for, mechanically they're pretty robust.Great cars, NA or Turbo.
ETA: Engine work can be a bit tight at times, but everything else is a doddle (in so much as all 20-odd year old cars are - rusty bolts etc)
Not tall enough to know if you’d fit or not so can’t say but having had both a manual GPX and the rarer GPvR - they are great cars.
The issues you will have: (if you can find one)
Most have rotted themselves to pieces
Most have been modified horribly
The auto tiptronic box was crap
Overly expensive to insure for what they are
Expensive to fix
But... if I could find another manual Version R with an HKS mushroom filter and super Drager exhaust - i’d buy it this afternoon.
Great car - often overlooked but worth getting if you still can.
The issues you will have: (if you can find one)
Most have rotted themselves to pieces
Most have been modified horribly
The auto tiptronic box was crap
Overly expensive to insure for what they are
Expensive to fix
But... if I could find another manual Version R with an HKS mushroom filter and super Drager exhaust - i’d buy it this afternoon.
Great car - often overlooked but worth getting if you still can.
designforlife said:
pidsy said:
Expensive to fix
Really? My Mirage used a lot of FTO parts, they were easy to get and dirt cheap!! We are only talking a couple years ago too.They did used to have a great owners club - I presume the FTOOC has all but disappeared now which is a shame. We used to do some great Tunnel Runs through London.
I think you have missed the boat on a nice FTO, anyhting still on the road will be crusty. I loved mine, could fit in no problem and i'm 6,2. The Mivec manual sounds glorious and despite the PH general opinion the 200hp was enough to have fun. The rear seats on the other hand would barely be suitable for munchkins.
BuzzBravado said:
I think you have missed the boat on a nice FTO, anyhting still on the road will be crusty. I loved mine, could fit in no problem and i'm 6,2. The Mivec manual sounds glorious and despite the PH general opinion the 200hp was enough to have fun. The rear seats on the other hand would barely be suitable for munchkins.
Talk about a bittersweet message haha.Well I've seen a few online that seem to be in good nick but as we know pictures can only show so much. If you're 6ft2 and no trouble mate then that's an incredibly good sign. The power is spot on for me Buzz as it'll be my first sportier car and so it'd probably be an excellent start, not too much but enough for some fun as you've said.
The lack of rear space isn't an issue as it'll mainly be used for myself or only two adults anyways. Cheers Buzz!
I never understood the love for FTO's back in the day. I've driven loads of them, they used to make loads of noise but never actually go anywhere. Also never particularly thought the chassis was up to much. So many nicer / better vehicles of that vintage you should be looking at, in my opinion. Especially if you're after something to hoon around in.
ecksjay said:
I never understood the love for FTO's back in the day. I've driven loads of them, they used to make loads of noise but never actually go anywhere. Also never particularly thought the chassis was up to much. So many nicer / better vehicles of that vintage you should be looking at, in my opinion. Especially if you're after something to hoon around in.
It does seem to divide opinion. All i can think of is those with a poor view have tried an auto or non mivec which are pretty boring. The FT-Slow thing i could never get my head around. It was 200hp in the early 90's back when people were wking themselves silly over 150hp Cavaliers. I cant recall anyone ever saying the supercharged BMW Cooper S was slow, yet my FTO was perfectly matched to my flatmates Cooper S at the time. Sure the JDM turbo'd stuff was much quicker but that isnt a fair comparison.You don't need power to have a fun car. I came from an Evo and stage 2/3 S13 to a 185bhp (on the dyno) Toyota Altezza and the Altezza is by far the most fun car I have ever driven. They have gone up in value so a bit out of your price range but a high revving NA is glorious.
I'd be tempted to suggest a Lexus IS200 but they are heavier, worse on fuel and much slower. Although you could probably get one and then turbo/supercharge it using second hand parts for under £2,000. They have a big following and massive clubs so community support is pretty good.
I'd be tempted to suggest a Lexus IS200 but they are heavier, worse on fuel and much slower. Although you could probably get one and then turbo/supercharge it using second hand parts for under £2,000. They have a big following and massive clubs so community support is pretty good.
dancza said:
Talk about a bittersweet message haha.
Well I've seen a few online that seem to be in good nick but as we know pictures can only show so much. If you're 6ft2 and no trouble mate then that's an incredibly good sign. The power is spot on for me Buzz as it'll be my first sportier car and so it'd probably be an excellent start, not too much but enough for some fun as you've said.
The lack of rear space isn't an issue as it'll mainly be used for myself or only two adults anyways. Cheers Buzz!
Dont let my comments put you off looking for one. Its just they are getting very thin on the ground, expecially in standard form. Your best bet is trying to find a cherished one in the owners clubs if they exist. Well I've seen a few online that seem to be in good nick but as we know pictures can only show so much. If you're 6ft2 and no trouble mate then that's an incredibly good sign. The power is spot on for me Buzz as it'll be my first sportier car and so it'd probably be an excellent start, not too much but enough for some fun as you've said.
The lack of rear space isn't an issue as it'll mainly be used for myself or only two adults anyways. Cheers Buzz!
I would say they definately benefit from the likes of an HKS intake and exhaust. Its been many years since i had mine but i remember rot being an issue even back then. You need to check practically all the internal panels for rust, including the roof! The inner arches were particularly bad. The engines and graboxes are solid and very little goes wrong with them outwith the tinworm.
ecksjay said:
I never understood the love for FTO's back in the day. I've driven loads of them, they used to make loads of noise but never actually go anywhere. Also never particularly thought the chassis was up to much. So many nicer / better vehicles of that vintage you should be looking at, in my opinion. Especially if you're after something to hoon around in.
The appeal to me is that they're a good looking and sounding car and the performance for the manual Mivec is more than enough for me at the moment. Age isn't really an issue I'd happily drive a more modern car if something interesting enough popped up. The MR2 was a good shout but if you have any others to add to the list for me mate it'd be great. I've had my GPvR for just coming up to 3 years now, makes me smile every time I get it on a country road
The FTOOC is alive and well, along with two or three well-supported Facebook groups so I don't think they're all dead just yet. As has been alluded to they are starting to thin out a little now as the less-pampered ones fall to corrosion, but there are still plenty of well-cared-for cars on the road.
I will say that with the drivers' seat fully back there's plenty of leg room, but I suppose it depends on whether you're long in the body (or neck lol) as to whether you'll be bumping your head on the roof, you'll probably have to sit in one to really get a feel if it'll be suitable. So long as you fit though they're great cars
The FTOOC is alive and well, along with two or three well-supported Facebook groups so I don't think they're all dead just yet. As has been alluded to they are starting to thin out a little now as the less-pampered ones fall to corrosion, but there are still plenty of well-cared-for cars on the road.
I will say that with the drivers' seat fully back there's plenty of leg room, but I suppose it depends on whether you're long in the body (or neck lol) as to whether you'll be bumping your head on the roof, you'll probably have to sit in one to really get a feel if it'll be suitable. So long as you fit though they're great cars
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